The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-22
MILLS BLOWN DOWN.
Rochester, N. u, Startled by Series
of Terrific Explosions.
Disastrous Results Of a System Of
Supplying Naptha-
Four Men Killed and Twenty others
Bruised and MANNED.

ROCHESTER,, N. Y, Dec. 21.-There was
terrific explosion in front OF the Poole flour
mill, on Mill street, shortly before $50 o'clock
this afternoon, and few seconds after an
other followed. Then others were heard In
rapid succession, and flames burst from the
Poole mill, the rear walls fell in, and the fire
burned with great fury Although the work
men fastened out, it is feared that some
must have perished in the flames. In few
minutes the Washington mill adjoining, was
also on fire. One of the workmen jumped
from the third story of the Poole mill, and
was severely injured. Another escaped by
jumping into the race.
The sewers in the vicinity were filled with
naptha, which caused the explosion. Today
1900 gallons of naptha were pumped from
the vacuum at the oil works through the
pipe line in the bed of the old canal intend
ed for the municipal gas company One or
more breaks in the line allowed the naptha
to escape into the adjoining sewers, When
the sewers became surcharged with gas, it
escaped into the mills and exploded. The
gas made its way through the mains in the
middle of the streets, throwing out the man
hole covers and tearing up the roadways.
In the vicinity of the fire, and up Mill and
tanee of three-quarters of a mile, people
were crowded in every direction, terrified by
the explosions The explosions continued at
such frequent intervals the first half hour,
that no one could approach the flre. Women
and children were running around crying
and screaming, thinking their brothers, hus-
bands and other relatives were In the mills.
1t is not known how many persons were at
work nor how many escaped. one was seen
to jump from the second story window OF
fl,a h,,f1 10 ho hQ
low, distance of so feet. His right leg was
broken, and he received severe internal inJu-
ries. The walls of the Jefferson mill fell In
about o'clock, and it is feared that several
men are buried under them. The engineer
of the Clinton mill and two companions
were standing near the front of the mill
when the explosion occurred. They retained
sufficient presence of mind to shut of the
steam and get out Of the mill. Six persons
worked in the Clinton mill, and four escaped
through the water wheel.
The total damage by the hre cannot De ,9
closely determined. The Washington mill
was valued at S75, 900, and the insurance is
S35000. The Jefferson mill, with its con-
tents was valued at 100000; insurance, S2o,-
600. The Clinton mill alone was valued at
$65,000; insurance, $4,000. The flour and
grain in stock was valued at from $4,000 to
$4,000 The Washington mill contained
about 5000 barrels of flour and 1000 bushels
of wheat, valued at $16,SO0. 1t is mostly a
total loss.
At midnight it is believed that four per
sons are killed, viz, Fred Wilson, Edward A.
Webster, Abram Rogers and John Lee. VIII
son was part owner of the Shawmut mills,
and was killed by flying stone. Webster
was looking at man-hole, from which ex-
plosions were coming, when the walls Of the
Jefferson mill fell on him. He was picked
up with q leg and arm broken, and internal
injuries. He died this evening. The injured
number at least twenty.
Later Particulars.
ROCHESTER,, N. Y, Dec. 21.-At 11.30 the
fire was under control, but the fremen will
keep at work until morning. The explosions
ceased at $50, and no more danger is appre-
hended from them. They covered wide
extent of territory Manhole caps over the
sewers in Mill, Plat, State, West. Main,
fremont Smith, Jay, Furnace Factory,
Brown and many other streets were blown
off by the explosion, and a great deal of
paving around them torn up. Windows
were shattered in many buildings in the
vicinity and the shock was felt over large
area of territory. The tunnel through
which the burning naphtha flowed several
hours is the largest sewer in the city and is
the outlet for the sewers on the West side.
How badly damaged this is cannot be esti-
mated. The fire must have extended dis
tance of several hundred feet in. the sewer.
The killed So far as known are
E. A. Webster
John Lee.
An employe of the Peoples Mill is not ac-
counted for. and it is thought he is dead in
the ruins.